Sidmouth: Council asks public to report suspected bird flu cases

East Devon District Council has asked the public to report sick or injured birds on public land to them after a number of bird flu cases were detected across Devon.

This week, a number of dead birds have washed up on beaches in East Devon including at Exmouth.

The animals were collected by East Devon District Council (EDDC) officers who have informed DEFRA.

The risk to public health is reportedly very low, but the local authority has urged people not to touch any sick or injured birds or their droppings.

So far in 2022, there have been 13 cases where 23 wild birds tested positive for avian influenza.

Up until the week ending Sunday 4 September, there have been:

• Five birds (three findings) in East Devon – breeds included mute swans and herring gulls.
• 17 birds (nine findings) in Mid Devon – breeds included geese and herring gulls.
• One herring gull found by Devon County Council.
• Cornwall has also seen 11 cases, where 25 birds tested positive. Breeds include gannets, herring gulls, Canadian geese and pheasants.

Click here to report a sighting to East Devon District Council.

If you see one or more dead birds of prey or owls, or three of more dead gulls, swans, geese, or ducks, or five or more dead birds of any species, you should report it to DEFRA.